Index signal



Oct. 22, 1929. T B, CLARK 1,732,928

INDEX S IGNAL Filed March 19, l927 Inventor Thomaa 5. Clark Atty.

Patented @ct. 22, 1929 nniran STATES YPATENT OFFICE THOMAS B. CLARK, OF HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NEXV JERSEY, .ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNE AS- SIGNlvIE-NTS, TO REMINGTON BAND 1216., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAW'ARE INDEX Application filed March 19,

This invention relates to signals and indexes, and has reference more particularly to signals adapted to be attached to visible strips commonly held in slides for telephone and other indexes.

When a new telephone is ordered from one of the telephone companies, it has been the practice to issue a work order to install the telephone, and when a report was received that the telephone had actually been installeu, an index slip such as that disclosed in Band, U. S. Patent No. l,i62,l97, was prepared and was inserted in the index slide of the information desk, so that service on that particular telephone could then be given. It often happens, however, that a considerable interval of time lapses between the actual completion of installation of a telephone and the insertion of the slip in the index slide at the information desk with the result that the user of the telephone is without service for a few days after the telephone is installed.

An object of this inventionis to provide a suitable signal for use on the index strips which will permit the index strips to be placed in the slide as soon as the work order is issued for the installation of the telephone, so that upon completion of the installation the signal can be removed quickly and service rendered promptly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be readily cut from the index slip when it is desired to remove same; also to improve index signals in other respects hereinafter specified and claimed.

Ref rence is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an index slide, showing one of my improved signals being removed from an index slip.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an index slip with one of my improved signals being installed.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View through a slide containing index slips and one of the improved signals.

SIGNAL 1927. Serial no. 176,764.

Fig. i is an enlarged perspective view of a signal.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, .10 indicates a slide or index frame which ordinarily is rotatably supported in a Vertical position by means of a pintle 11 secured adjacent two corners of the frame. This frame 10 is so constructed that parallel flanges 12 are mounted thereon adjacent opposite parallel edges of said frame, these flanges being spaced apart from the body 13 of the frame, which usually is composed of a sheet of metal. In the space between flanges 12 and body 15, a plurality of narrow index sl' lei are slidably positioned with their s abutting. These slips are usually made of a composite material such as an inner layer of thin wood covered on each side with a layer of paper. The outer layer of paper has a series of names typewritten thereon, and the strips are then cut apart for application to the frame 10.

My improved signal is preferably in the form of a flattened cylinder or hollow right prism 15 having a length preferably considerably less than the length of the index-strip. This cylinder may be of any suitable material, but in order to make the same inexpensive to manufacture, easy to dye with colored dyes, and easy to cut from the index strip when desired, I prefer to make this signal of a section of soda straw, such as the straws used at soda fountains. Soda straws ofthis nature have longitudinal striations, and are easily split or cut parallel to their axes. These soda straws are easily dyed any desired color, and. after severing to the proper lengths, may be dried in the form of the flattened cylinder as shown in Fig. 2. The word striations as herein used refers to the parallel grooves extending longitudinally of the cylinder or sleeve 15 which is otherwise of uniform section. Moreover, the soda straws are of substantially thin uniform section throughout, that is to say, the material thereof is of single thickness being of seamless tubular formation as distinguished from a tube formed from a sheet of material bent into cylindrical form and having the edges secured together in overlapping relation thus forming a Wall of double thickness Where the strip is secured together.

This signal is slipped on over the index strip 14 before application of the strip to the index frame 10. The signal Will then indicate to the telephone operator that a Work order to install a telephone in the name of the party on the slip has been issued. When the operator receives notification that the installation of the telephone is complete, the signal 15 can be quickly removed by means of an ordinary knife 16, the blade of Which is passed along the soda straw in the striations thereof.

I Would state in conclusion that While the examples illustrated and described represent a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself precisely to. these details as to use and construction, since manifestly same can be considerably varied Without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

- 1. In an index device, the combination with an elongated relatively narrow, thin, resilient index slip adapted to have its ends engaged in channels at the opposite sides of an index panel, of a signal comprising a frangible tubular member of substantially rectangular cross section slidably engaged on said index slip and enclosing a portion thereof, the material forming said tubular member being of substantially thin uniform section throughout and adapted to be readily broken or cut for removal from the index when mounted in an index panel.

2. In an index device, the combination with an elongated relatively narrow, thin, resilient index slip adapted to have its ends engaged in channels at the opposite sides of an index panel, of a signal comprising a frangible tubular member of substantially rectangular cross section slidably engaged onsaid index slip and enclosing a portion thereof, said tubular member being formed of striated material having the striations extending substantially longitudinally of single thickness throughout.

3. A signal for indexes, comprising a frangible tubular member formed of substantially thin striated material, said member being of elongated rectangular cross section and of single thickness throughout.

THOMAS B. CLARK.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,732,923 Granted October 22, 1929, to

THOMAS B. CLARK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, lines 46 and 47,

4 claim 2, strike out the Words "havitig the striations extending substantially longitudinaily" and insert the same after the word "throughout" and before the period iii time 48; same page, line 51, claim 3, after the word "material" insert "having the striatiohs extending substantiaily longitudinally"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of November, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

